MALBEC (Stratford-upon-Avon)
Verdict : 7/10 (Taste not exceptional, but nice ambience and staff)
On 26 February 2008 a friend and I stopped at this restaurant for lunch when we paid vist to Stratford-upon-Avon.
In the photo right is the façade of the restaurant. It is not on one of the busiest streets, but it is conveniently situated in town centre (address below).
Malbec is the name of red grapes, used very much in Argentina for wine making. I wondered why the place took its name from the fruits.
This is the interior. It is a small place, although there are some more tables in downstairs. On the left side there is a bar counter (you see only an angle of it in the photo). It is cosy, quiet and made us feel comfortable.
There were two waitresses at that time; both very pleasant and professional.
It is an up-market restaurant, with a main course priced from £14 to £17, but during lunch time, it offers two course pre-fix menu for £12, and three course for £15. We ordered from the pre-fix, and we got also a jug of water as drink (free). Choice of pre-fix is, however, rather poor; only two starters, two mains, and 1 pudding/1 plate of cheese.
This is how the table was set. I don't think they use expensive furnishings, but the décor is elegant enough. Interestingly the picture behind the table was on sale.
When we entered at around noon, there was no one inside, but soon after us one man came in and during our lunch two elder couples joined. They looked more like locals than tourists.
After taking our order, a waitress brought to us bread and butter. The bread was warm, and looked home-made. These were free of charge.
For some reason, some English people eat bread and butter as if it is a starter. It happened to me once a waiter try to clear my bread off the table after I finished starter. Don't English people need bread to accompany the main course? Anyway, it of course did not happen in this restaurant.
This is my starter, Pressed terrine of chicken and mushroom served with apple chutney. The green spots are pistachio nuts.
It was pretty nice. I don't like so much the smell of chilled chicken, but it was cleverly hidden by apple chutney, which was neither too sweet nor too salty.
Friend ordered "Today's Soup", which was spicy Thai lentil soup. It was thick anf filling soup flavoured with Thai green curry. It tasted strongly of lemongrass. I had a taste of it and was amazed how this combination worked well.
This is my main course: Sautéed guinea fowl jambonette, fricasse of chesnut mushrooms and baby onions.
It is beautifully presented, but... doesn't it look like something? Well, let's not discuss about it, shall we?
I had a high expectation from this beautiful presentation, but to my surprise it did not taste as great as it looked. Obviously it tasted OK, but the meat was rather boring, and just fell short of my expectation. The grey mullet dish friend ordered was suffering from mis-matching of ingredients (fish, creamy sour couscous, mushy leek). But, as she said she liked it, it might be only my taste.
Very honestly put, the food was not as delicious as I hoped, but taking into consideration the nice ambience and pleasant staff, and the price (we paid £12 for two-course meal and £1 for service), it is a good place for lunch after all.
Malbec Restaurant
6 Union Street
Stratford-upon-Avon
Warwickshire
CV37 6QT Map
Telephone: 01789 269106
http://www.malbecrestaurant.co.uk/
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